S&W Model 686 SSR
- Thread starter Sid
- Start date
I’ve had one for a few years. It had a serious safety problem with the cylinder and S&W replaced the cylinder with an unfluted one.
I replaced the springs with Bang, Inc springs and did a very nice (if I do say so myself) action job on it. It will ignite Federal primers seated all the way, but usually won’t set off other primers. That’s fine with me, since I only shoot handloads and can always crank in the strain screw if I need to.
They’re excellent guns. I have several Smith wheelguns and all have been outstanding.
I replaced the springs with Bang, Inc springs and did a very nice (if I do say so myself) action job on it. It will ignite Federal primers seated all the way, but usually won’t set off other primers. That’s fine with me, since I only shoot handloads and can always crank in the strain screw if I need to.
They’re excellent guns. I have several Smith wheelguns and all have been outstanding.
I've got one of the earlier ones with forged internals and a cylinder cut for moonclips (not sure if they still do that). Nice gun, but when things speed up, I shoot my standard 686 better - the added mass from the full underlug just makes it a bit easier.
Also, S&W's "tuning" is very modest, IMO. The interchangeable front sight is a nice feature though, so if you just want a good revolver that's just little step up from a standard S&W, without the hassle of letting a gunsmith work on it, the SSR might be for you.
OTOH, if you want a fully tuned revolver, you'd do better to buy a standard 686 and give the saved money to a good 'smith and let them tune it. At a minimum, I'd have them smooth the action, chamfer the cylinders and replace that red ramp front sight (my personal preference is a fiber optic front sight).
Also, S&W's "tuning" is very modest, IMO. The interchangeable front sight is a nice feature though, so if you just want a good revolver that's just little step up from a standard S&W, without the hassle of letting a gunsmith work on it, the SSR might be for you.
OTOH, if you want a fully tuned revolver, you'd do better to buy a standard 686 and give the saved money to a good 'smith and let them tune it. At a minimum, I'd have them smooth the action, chamfer the cylinders and replace that red ramp front sight (my personal preference is a fiber optic front sight).
Model12Win
Moderator
They are designed as a modern service revolver IIRC.
Good guns, others may chime in with more info.
Good guns, others may chime in with more info.